The House of Representatives have passed for a second reading a bill seeking to impose an age limit for individuals contesting for the offices of the President and Governor in Nigeria, with proposed age pegged at 60
Penpushing reports that the bill, sponsored by Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, if scaled and enacted would render prominent politicians such as President Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and others ineligible to contest the 2027 elections.
The bill seeks to amend sections 131 and 177 of the 1999 constitution (as amended), which prescribed eligibility to contest for both positions, additionally the proposed legislation introduces a minimum educational qualification, requiring candidates to hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
Penpushing further reports that the Nigerian Constitution, currently stipulates that a presidential candidate must be a Nigerian by birth, a member of a political party, possess a school certificate, and be at least 30 years old.
The former President Muhammadu Buhari, it is recalled prior to the Not Too Young to Run Act, signed into law the minimum age requirement was 40 for presidential candidates and 35 for governors.
Penpushing also reports that the existing conditions to contest for the position of the President include; being a Nigerian by birth, a member of a political party, a school certificate and must have attained the age of 30.
The House of Representatives equally passed a bill for the creation of Wan State in the North Central Geo-Political Zone and Gobir State in the Northwest, while other bills passed for second reading include one seeking the upgrade of the Alvan Ikoku College of Education in Imo State into a federal university of education.
Penpushing reports that similarly, a bill for the creation of Ideato West Local Government Area in Imo State; a bill for mandatory inclusion of youths and persons with disabilities in political appointments.
The others are; Bill to Move Trade and Commerce to the Concurrent Legislative List; Bill to reserve Seats for Women in National and State Assemblies; Judicial Reform Bills: Timelines for Justice Administration; Increase in Supreme Court & Court of Appeal Justices Bill.
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